Post by maninasuitcase on Aug 27, 2015 16:41:51 GMT

Enter the Dragon (1973)

The Bruce Lee kung fu extravaganza has never looked and sounded so good. As like it was filmed in Hong Kong yesterday. This is a quality BD loaded with Extras as well.

The film. Well, the plot is sub James Bond and even the villain has an artificial hand (Dr. No) and a white cat (Blofeld) but this an action packed movie. You don't have to a martial arts lover to appreciate this film. There are no dull moments that is for sure, the pace is pretty frenetic with a quality Lalo Schifrin score.

The stars are Bruce Lee as Lee (a bit like Gene Barry playing Gene Bradley in 'The Adventurer') and John Saxon sporting a "Sean Connery". I think the "Roger Moore" piece was out of fashion in 1973. He did well to keep it on. Lee's level of athletic prowess is quite amazing and it is hard to believe he only had months to live.

I hadn't seen this film for yonks but it was every bit as good as I remembered from my youth.

Post by maninasuitcase on Aug 30, 2015 7:46:27 GMT

Had a late night session watching 'Oil City' on DVD. Superb documentary of Dr. Feelgood.

I absolutely love Dr Feelgood but I found 'Oil City' to be hard going. That was purely due to the unwatchable style of that prententious prat Julien Temple. He has managed to ruin docs about Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Paul Weller with his "quirky approach" to his subjects. Weller spends most of his on the dog in a public call box pretending to have a conversation. Dreadful.

The best thing about the DVD is you can watch the whole of the archive Lee Brilleaux interview. That is superb.

Post by Portland Road on Aug 30, 2015 8:24:06 GMT

The Bruce Lee kung fu extravaganza has never looked and sounded so good. As like it was filmed in Hong Kong yesterday.

The stars are Bruce Lee as Lee (a bit like Gene Barry playing Gene Bradley in 'The Adventurer')....

....but Bruce Lee was a good deal fitter....

I like this film also, but a good few years since I've seen it. John Saxon is a cult actor in the 'B-movie/guest in TV dramas' vein (Harry Guardino, Antonio Fargas are others).

I was at one time intrigued by Geoffrey Weeks, the well-spoken Englishman who played 'Braithwaite'. This was because he appeared to have no other acting credits. Since then, info has appeared on IMDB that he was a radio & TV presenter in Hong Kong. Uncannily, like Bruce Lee he died shortly after filming ETG.

Regarding 'Oil City Confidential' - I liked it and I will get around to watching it again. I haven't really had issues about Julian Temple's style, but I take your point MIAS.

Post by Arch Stanton on Aug 30, 2015 8:31:04 GMT

Enter the Dragon (1973)I hadn't seen this film for yonks but it was every bit as good as I remembered from my youth.

8/10.

ETD is a stone cold classic, it's not the greatest 1970s martial arts film ever made by some way, in my opinion, but it's still highly entertaining.Lee's intensity shines, and it hit the right multi-cultural vibe for audiences.. Spearheading a zeitgeist of martial arts mayhem, brucesploitation and kung fu fury, that was to engulf the 70s and early 80s - until audiences went ninja mad. In spite of the direction being a bit humdrum.I've seen the film so many times (even on the big screen), I could probably play several parts in it!!Shame Lee never got to see it's impact, or for that matter complete Game Of Death.

Does this mean you'd be open to a 1970s martial arts movie schooling Mias??There's many a good un housed in the 36th chamber of the Cornish Film Archive.

Post by plasticpenguin on Aug 30, 2015 9:05:16 GMT

Had a late night session watching 'Oil City' on DVD. Superb documentary of Dr. Feelgood.

I absolutely love Dr Feelgood but I found 'Oil City' to be hard going. That was purely due to the unwatchable style of that prententious prat Julien Temple. He has managed to ruin docs about Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Paul Weller with his "quirky approach" to his subjects. Weller spends most of his on the dog in a public call box pretending to have a conversation. Dreadful.

The best thing about the DVD is you can watch the whole of the archive Lee Brilleaux interview. That is superb.

Lee was brilliant and so is Wilko. Just a real shame all Lee's stuff is archive...

Post by Arch Stanton on Aug 30, 2015 11:47:13 GMT

I will be finishing off those George Lazenby kung fu DVDs from the 36th Chamber anytime soon.

Yes, get Stoner watched!! That's a cracker, you'll love it. Lazenby is kicka$$ in that! Proving that he's got some moves.It's really entertaining. The fashions are at the height of unhinged, '70s polymer-chic.. And there's one of my favourite, drug-cult orgy scenes in it (from films of that era).

Plus it stars Angela Mao Ying. Which is a big PLUS for any film from that time.

Note below: Lazenby as Stoner, so good at weaving his lady magic.... He does it with his eyes closed!

Post by mybodyguard on Aug 30, 2015 14:03:53 GMT

I've been watching Dalziel and Pascoe on DVD. Most reviews say the early seasons are the better ones, but I seem to prefer the later seasons like 6 and 7. Also, my season 3 is formatted wrong on DVD. The picture is blown up and cropped.

Post by dscarter1975 on Aug 31, 2015 22:40:16 GMT

I watched Run Lola Run today, an odd but endearing little German film from the late '90s. It starred Franka Potente, Matt Damon's girlfriend from the first 2 Bourne movies. It is quite an amusing, fast-paced flick which plays on alternate time realities.

"What was I thinking of, hitting him? Nothing. No, I know. I hate him! I hate his guts, I hate everything he stands for with his PACE and his plus and his statements of purpose and his smiling at the punters and his have a nice day! I mean when was the last time he ever nicked anybody, eh? A real villain! When was the last time he ever put himself on the line?"

Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 1, 2015 7:13:54 GMT

I watched Run Lola Run today, an odd but endearing little German film from the late '90s. It starred Franka Potente, Matt Damon's girlfriend from the first 2 Bourne movies. It is quite an amusing, fast-paced flick which plays on alternate time realities.

I saw that when it came out.. It was very energetic but had all the depth of a Britney Spears music video...I mean don't get me wrong, it was ok. Just not really my thing.

Post by plasticpenguin on Sept 2, 2015 3:07:07 GMT

The Dam Busters on DVD. Haven't seen this film in a while. For various reasons, the film isn't very accurate so every now and then I'll jump up pointing ferociously at the TV, screaming "wrong!" What a saddo.

Post by ace5150 on Sept 2, 2015 19:30:18 GMT

The Bruce Lee kung fu extravaganza has never looked and sounded so good. As like it was filmed in Hong Kong yesterday. This is a quality BD loaded with Extras as well.

The film. Well, the plot is sub James Bond and even the villain has an artificial hand (Dr. No) and a white cat (Blofeld) but this an action packed movie. You don't have to a martial arts lover to appreciate this film. There are no dull moments that is for sure, the pace is pretty frenetic with a quality Lalo Schifrin score.

The stars are Bruce Lee as Lee (a bit like Gene Barry playing Gene Bradley in 'The Adventurer') and John Saxon sporting a "Sean Connery". I think the "Roger Moore" piece was out of fashion in 1973. He did well to keep it on. Lee's level of athletic prowess is quite amazing and it is hard to believe he only had months to live.

I hadn't seen this film for yonks but it was every bit as good as I remembered from my youth.

8/10.

Is this the 2 disc version with the OFFICIAL Game of Death film?ETD is an iconic film, Bruce was in a different league, but I always liked Jim Kelly in this, ultra cool ala Shaft.

Post by ace5150 on Sept 2, 2015 19:33:23 GMT

Today, I watched Danny and the Human Zoo loosely based on the rise of Lenny Henry. Lots of goofs, but overall, a decent little made-for-TV film, made more surprising as it was written by Lenny, who is normally as an arson attack at an orphanage. Overall, 6/10.....because of a great sound track.

Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 2, 2015 20:23:05 GMT

I bought Braquo series 1 on blu ray.. I'd not seen this before because I don't watch modern tele, but I got it on account of the director and lead actor, who I know from film.I'm very much enjoying it so far. Plenty of violence and scummy French cops/villains!With the obligatory moral compass waverings of course.

Post by daz on Sept 2, 2015 20:36:12 GMT

The Dam Busters on DVD. Haven't seen this film in a while. For various reasons, the film isn't very accurate so every now and then I'll jump up pointing ferociously at the TV, screaming "wrong!" What a saddo.

Great watch nonetheless.

I read the above and thought about Al Murrays book "Watching War Films with My Dad", in which his dad having such a knowledge of the WW2 he used to pick fault with all the films for all sorts of reasons and Al has now got the same habit and I am sure I remember The Dam Busters having a mention or 3.

Not the usual autobiography for someone, but if you haven't read it you may find you share a few things with him if you ever do.

Post by Arch Stanton on Sept 5, 2015 7:25:42 GMT

I've been watching 'Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide Part 2', which is a three dvd follow up to the first documentary boxset.Which features hours and hours of talking heads (Film critics, lecturers, fans, experts, directors, journalists, BBFC examiners, politicians etc) discussing first hand, the phenomenon of British censorship through the 80s/90s and the films categorized as Section 3's ('not video nasties, but still confiscated').The main feature is a doc. entitled 'Video Nasties: Draconian Days' which kicks off from where the previous documentary finished (see boxset 1), spanning the years of British censorship from 1985-1999.Covering the somewhat strict and often bizarre era of James Ferman et al at the BBFC. Whilst also featuring plenty of discussion around other complete nutcases at the time... people like David Alton and James Anderton.

This is a superb watch if you're interested in British film censorship, particularly if you were following it as closely as I were at the time!Better than the first boxset, that although very good - and very highly recommended, covers much well trod ground..

Post by maninasuitcase on Sept 5, 2015 9:21:02 GMT

I've been watching 'Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide Part 2', which is a three dvd follow up to the first documentary boxset.Which features hours and hours of talking heads (Film critics, lecturers, fans, experts, directors, journalists, BBFC examiners, politicians etc) discussing first hand, the phenomenon of British censorship through the 80s/90s and the films categorized as Section 3's ('not video nasties, but still confiscated').The main feature is a doc. entitled 'Video Nasties: Draconian Days' which kicks off from where the previous documentary finished (see boxset 1), spanning the years of British censorship from 1985-1999.Covering the somewhat strict and often bizarre era of James Ferman et al at the BBFC. Whilst also featuring plenty of discussion around other complete nutcases at the time... people like David Alton and James Anderton.

This is a superb watch if you're interested in British film censorship, particularly if you were following it as closely as I were at the time!Better than the first boxset, that although very good - and very highly recommended, covers much well trod ground..

Post by dscarter1975 on Sept 5, 2015 12:22:00 GMT

I watched The Game the other night. It was honestly like a big-budget Hollywood version of Tales Of The Unexpected with Michael Douglas as a ruthless businessman (shades of Wall Street) who is made to learn a very important lesson in life by his younger brother (Sean Penn). Many twists, turns, characters who befriend and betray Douglas and some unexpected gunplay. I liked it, especially Douglas' performance where he goes from emotionless loner to quivering wreck.

"What was I thinking of, hitting him? Nothing. No, I know. I hate him! I hate his guts, I hate everything he stands for with his PACE and his plus and his statements of purpose and his smiling at the punters and his have a nice day! I mean when was the last time he ever nicked anybody, eh? A real villain! When was the last time he ever put himself on the line?"